A nervy start but an important win for Arsenal

It sometimes seems like Leicester City are on top of the League by default, with Arsenal, Man City and Man United continually dropping crucial points in the title race, but Arsenal are still sitting pretty just two points behind the leaders.

After three games without a win for the Gunners, and a massive game coming up against Olympiakos, Arsene Wenger couldn’t stress just how important the three points were today. “It was a very important game for us tonight because we came out of three disappointing results. We had lost only one game but I think it was a very, very important game for us today, psychologically, for the fact we had not won, for the fact we had lost important players in our side and we had to show that we can win.

“We were edgy and nervy in the first half against a very organised team who were dangerous on the counter-attack, but in the second half I think we have shown mental strength and desire in our game and more fluency as well. All was not perfect of course but the team have shown mental strength after a goal before half-time. We still managed to win the game in the second half.

“I thought it was important to keep our nerves at first. They were dangerous with Fletcher and Watmore, and their full backs could have exposed us, so it was important not to concede the second goal and I believe it was also important to get behind their midfield, behind Ola Toivonen and M’Vila and to find space in between their centre backs.

“I was more nervous today as I knew it was a very important game to our season today. I felt Sunderland would be very good on the day on the counter-attack and at free-kicks. We played to not give many free-kicks away while they played to get free-kicks so they did that well.”

A great win, and three very important points in the title race, but now we have to regroup and prepare for our most important game of the season (so far) on Wednesday. The most important thing that came out of Wenger’s after-match interview was his answer to the question of whether Arsenal had any new injuries. He replied “no”. That will do me……

Tags Sunderland Wenger

34 Comments

    1. REALLY want ox to score. the others (campbell,flam,gibbs) have stepped well. ox a bit unlucky but needs to persist.

    1. God, not god – big difference. But yes, HE does support Arsenal, regardless of what that fool Wenger says…..

      Up Gunners!!!

  1. …… Ramsey’s passes need more precision, several times he over hit passes that would have resulted in goals. What is wrong with Chamberlain? This should be his opportunity for God sake, Campbell is taking his chances quite well and if he continues this way, Chamberlain might not even get a place on the bench soon.
    Cech is awesome, I believe ten million was a bargain.

    1. I agree with you on Ramsey. He was poor on the day for me. Sure he got and assist and a goal which were vital but as a deput for our deep lying playmaker it was shaky. You could see the difference the poise of Cazorla makes back there. Ramsey must play more controlled and intelligent if he’s to prove that spot is his.

      1. A goal+assist does not = poor

        He had a good performance, of course he can better, but he was absolutely not poor.

        1. For me the biggest and most important role for that B2B position is to transition from defense to attack and recycle the ball when an attack looses steam. He did not do that well at all against Sunderland. There were times in the first half koscielny played from midfield in that roll bc Ramsey was nowhere to be found. He’s in the side to do a job and too many times he strayed a pass to either start or maintain an attack or was just completely out of position from a marauding run forward. In that regard, yes, he was poor.

  2. As long as we win in the end, I don’t care about nervy starts. A win of any kind is awesome

    Olympiakos had a big win as well, so our match with them will be very interesting both of us coming off big wins in our League matches

    I would start Theo and OX against Olympiakos

  3. Forget Chelsea they are hardly a challenger for the title. We only have to worry about the mighty Leicester!

    1. Don’t worry I have cast a gypsy curse on Moanino for his lack of respect for arsenal. The only way to lift the curse is to kiss wengers left ass cheek.
      You no a true loves kiss ?

  4. How many more good performances will it take for Joel to prove he is better than Ox? Even when he is having a poor attacking day Joel will defend for you. Ox doesn’t do that.

    1. I like the fact that both Alexis and Joel track back and defend well. It will be interesting if they get to play more regularly together how well the pair will be able to switch sides. Easier in attck I should imagine than in defence as the full backs will have to adjust to the different positions Alexis and Joel woild defend due to them being right and left foot respectively.
      I have wondered if Joel and Ozil would be able to start to read each others games. Both have good footbal brains and the gaol was classic dare I say Real Madrid ish.

  5. 12 assists 2goals said it all (Ozil_)
    The real Rambo is finally coming back (CM) is meant for him.
    Walcott back theo.

  6. We’re going to have to win 3-1/2 in UCL MD6, I don’t see us keeping a cleansheet especially when defence goes suicidal on the 3rd minute today.

  7. Well done to the lads!
    They had me worried a few time’s,
    I predicted a double for Giroud but I didn’t expect an OG from OG ?

    Now let’s go and win the game,
    that no one expects us to win!
    COYG’s

    1. lol…nice one @fatboy…OG from OG.
      Can’t wait for the Man City game. How much more motivation these lads need for the title is beyond me. There is literally no serious consistent challenger so if they seized it now and were consistent we have a good shot. Anything other than 6 points from the next 2 EPL games is a shame. City with or without Aguero have not been good in the last six games or so. We should win them just like we should have won Chelsea. They are there for the taking. So I repeat, anything less than 6 points from the next 2 EPL games is a shame.
      Btw…whatever happens in Olympiakos should stay in Olympiakos. Here is to hoping Wenger for once in the past 10 years makes a January signing that will be decisive for us to win the title. But I think I would substantially have better odds betting that he signs an injured has been that can’t play until 2 months later or even signing no one and our players will keep getting injured as usual culminating in a predictable end to the season once again. I hope for the best but expecting the usual.

      1. we would have “won” chelsea since they’re so p*ss poor: but you cant beat the referee mike dean.
        shocking unprofessional person he is. should be investigated and forced to resign (or just quit the game)

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